Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
One of the most amazing things I see each and every week at Encounter, are courageous people who are living out this passage of scripture. A huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, come every Friday and we are all learning together what it means to strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
One of the hardest things to do in the Christian life is to stay on course and never give up. If we take a closer look at this scripture and do what it says, the promise from God is we won’t become weary and give up.
So let’s look at the things we need to do so we do not become weary and give up:
1. Make sure we are continually surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith. We do that by coming to Encounter each and every week.
2. Strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. We do that by working through the Encounter 12 Anchors of Hope in community with other people.
3. Choose to run with endurance the race that God has set before us. Discipleship is a process. You do not win a marathon on the first turn; you win it by crossing the finish line first. When we choose to run this race with Jesus as our Savior, coach and consultant, we win, we change, and we find healing, freedom, forgiveness, purpose, joy and peace.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus. A look at Jesus in this passage says the following:
· Jesus is the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
· Jesus considered it pure joy to go to the cross and he disregarded its shame.
· Jesus is seated today on a throne in the place of honor. Seeing Jesus on His throne reminds us that He is still in charge and still in control.
· Jesus endured hostility from sinful people for you and me.
If we keep our eyes on Jesus like this every day, the promise for you and me is that we will not become weary and we will not give up!!
I am so proud of everyone at Encounter that is in the game, in the race, and pressing on toward the goal for which Christ has called them heavenward in Christ Jesus!
I want to encourage you to come to Encounter tomorrow night and be a part of this awesome, huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith where hope can be found by entering and running the race God has set before us.
We are kicking off a 5-week series on how to experience change tomorrow night. It is going to be a discipleship-oriented series that will transform your life!
See you there!!!
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor
bill@thehopeencounter.org